The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has announced plans to supply Ukraine with Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) through a contract with Raytheon Missiles and Defense.
The initial purchase, valued at $7,688,220, will be funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The Pentagon anticipates the completion of this project by November 29, 2024.
In a press release, the DOD disclosed that it had awarded Raytheon Missiles and Defense a $192 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, also set to be fulfilled by November 29, 2024.
Yuriy Ihnat, a Ukrainian official, informed Air and Space Forces magazine, "The United States will supply Ukraine with AMRAAM aircraft missiles with a range of 160-180 km." He further elaborated, "AMRAAM are universal aviation missiles and can be used for both fighters and air defense systems."
The publication noted that AMRAAM can be utilized as a surface-to-air missile with a U.S.-Norwegian ground-based air-defense system already in use in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskey has expressed his expectation of receiving F-16 fighter jets by the start of next year.
This development follows the Biden administration's announcement on August 14 of an additional $200 million assistance package for Ukraine. The 44th shipment of munitions included equipment for Patriot air defense and High Mobility Artillery Rocket systems, mine clearing equipment, artillery rounds, tank ammunition, anti-armor systems, 37 tactical vehicles, 58 water trailers, and 12 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades.
As of July 10, Ukraine aid spending had reached $76 billion, with $46.6 billion allocated to military and security assistance, $26.4 billion for financial assistance, and $3.9 billion for humanitarian aid.
Earlier this month, President Biden requested an additional $24 billion to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict. This request was part of a larger $40 billion package, which included $3.9 billion to address the situation on the US border and $12 billion for disaster relief.
Previously, a $6.2 billion "accounting error," as described by the Pentagon, freed up funds that were subsequently used to provide further aid to Ukraine.
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